Service Opportunities

Now Let Us Rejoice

When the Relief Society was established under the hand of the Prophet Joseph Smith on March 17, 1842, our early sisters in Nauvoo, who had committed themselves to the Lord at conversion, recognized the dawning of a new day. During that first sacred session they sang “Now Let Us Rejoice” (Hymns, no. 3).*

This time line, organized by the period of service of each of the Relief Society general presidents and detailing which Church Presidents they served with, chronicles some joyful milestones of the organization’s legacy and some Church and historical events. As Relief Society sisters today, we too rejoice in the Lord’s organization for women, which helps us as we strive daily to keep our covenants, exercise charity, strengthen families, and ultimately come unto the Savior Jesus Christ.

Relief Society sisters received the Prophet’s charge to “save souls and look to the poor and needy.” The Prophet declared, “All I shall have to give to the poor, I shall give to this society.” He offered five dollars in gold to Emma Smith.

Joseph Smith martyred, 1844.

First public telegraph transmitted, 1844.

1866–87

Eliza R. Snow

Eliza R. Snow, by John Willard Clawson

“No sister [is] so isolated … but what she can do a great deal towards establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth” (Woman’s Exponent, Sept. 15, 1873, 62).

Relief Society sisters engaged in sericulture (the production of raw silk) and other projects to help provide for their families.

First temple in Utah, the St. George Temple, completed, 1877; General presidencies established for Relief Society, MIA, and Primary, 1880.

1940–45

Amy Brown Lyman

Amy Brown Lyman, by Lee Greene Richards, courtesy of Museum of Church History and Art

“Little did the original members of the organization realize … how great their beloved Society would become” (“Relief Society in Action Today,” Relief Society Magazine, Mar. 1944, 139).

Relief Society welfare work expanded to help the priesthood meet wartime needs.

Focus of visiting teachers broadened to serve families and to assist priesthood leaders in evaluating family needs.

Wartime restrictions curtailed Church activities.

United States entered World War II, 1941.

1945–74

Belle S. Spafford

Belle S. Spafford, by Alvin Gittins

“There is within this society a great life-giving element … , binding together women of all nationalities” (“The Spirit of the Gospel, the Soul of Relief Society,” Relief Society Magazine, Mar. 1949, 148).

Relief Society became an international organization as Church membership expanded worldwide.

1974–84

Barbara B. Smith

Barbara B. Smith, by Cloy Paulson Kent

“Women can begin … with their little children at home, among adult friends, in their extended families, and in their professions … to reach out in love to serve someone every day” (“Service Makes the Difference,” Tambuli, Aug. 1984, 12; Ensign, Mar. 1984, 17).

The Nauvoo Monument to Women, with statues showing many facets of a woman’s life, dedicated.

1984–90

Barbara W. Winder

Barbara Woodhead Winder, by Cloy Paulson Kent

“I feel for the sisters of the Church this love, and sense the worth of each individual. I want so, and desire so, that we be unified, one together with the priesthood, serving and building the kingdom of God” (“I Love the Sisters of the Church,” Ensign, May 1984, 59).

New scripture-based lessons introduced and correlated with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Church Family History Library dedicated, 1985.

Berlin Wall dismantled, 1989.

1990–97

Elaine L. Jack

“Our joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ and our place in His plan will draw people to us and change lives. We will lift and inspire a world so desperately in need of goodness” (“A Small Stone,” Ensign, May 1997, 75).

A sesquicentennial broadcast linked five continents and an international sisterhood of 3.2 million women.

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” issued, 1995; The majority of Church members live outside the United States, 1996.

2002–

Bonnie D. Parkin

“If I could have one thing happen for [women] in this Church, it would be that they would feel the love of the Lord in their lives daily” (“Feel the Love of the Lord,” Liahona, July 2002, 95; Ensign, May 2002, 84).

Emphasized the successful transition of young women into adulthood.

Taught sisters to feel they belong to—as well as attend—Relief Society.

Nauvoo Illinois Temple dedicated, 2002; Three Apostles called to serve outside the United States as Area Presidents, 2002, 2004.